Battle of the Network Stars, The Gong Show, Boy Band: ABC Announces New Series Debuts

by Jessica Pena, April 13, 2017

ABC has some fun planned for this summer. Today, the network announced the summer premiere dates for their upcoming new series.

The new season includes the debut of several game and competition shows, including reboots of classics The Gong Show (June 22nd) and Battle of the Network Stars (June 29th). Additionally, ABC is launching a new singing series, Boy Band, on June 22nd and Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOMEon June 11th.

Check out the full summer premiere schedule below:

The ABC Television Network has announced summer premiere dates for limited series “Somewhere Between,” drama series “Still Star-Crossed,” and documentary “The Story of Diana.” Summer Fun & Games Return with new alternative series “The Gong Show,” “Boy Band,” “Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOME” and “Battle of the Network Stars.”

Summer game-show nights return with “Celebrity Family Feud,” “The $100,000 Pyramid” and “To Tell the Truth,” as well as returning favorite “Bachelor in Paradise” and music specials “Billboard Music Awards,” “CMA Fest 2017” and ESPN’s “The 2017 ESPYS.”

The ‘70s and ‘80s television pop-culture classic, “Battle of the Network Stars,” is revived when it returns to television this summer. “Battle of the Network Stars” is a nostalgic throwback to the original series where TV celebrities blended athleticism with hilarious antics. The 10-episode summer event will pit teams of current and classic TV stars from multiple eras and different genres against one another in a variety of athletic games. Viewers can look forward to seeing a fresh take at some of the classic show’s sporting “events” like Tug o’ War, the Obstacle Course and the Dunk Tank.

In the original “Battle of the Network Stars,” TV stars representing the three major networks at that time – ABC, CBS and NBC – teamed up to compete in physical challenges that were originally broadcast on ABC starting in 1976 and continuing for 13 years. Legendary sports broadcaster Howard Cosell hosted all but one of those 19 episodes, commenting on the action with a semi-serious version of the style for which he was famous.

“Battle of the Network Stars” is produced by Glassman Media and IMG, who also owns the format. The show will film at the same venue as the original series, at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. The executive producers are Andrew Glassman, Will Staeger and Michael Antinoro.

BOY BAND

“Boy Band,” is a new series where talented singers battle it out to become a member of the next great music sensation. And for the first time ever, viewers at home will vote for their favorite five band members, live, creating a group America can truly call its own.

The 10-episode series will capture the audition process and behind-the-scenes excitement where young vocal talents compete for a chance to show the world that they have what it takes to win acoveted spot in the band and receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records.

“Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOME,” from Mark Burnett, is a seed-funding competition reality series where two budding entrepreneurs go head-to-head to win over a live studio audience to fund their ideas, products or companies. In each of the 13 episodes, the audience will represent the “customer” and, as the customer is always right, they will be voting to determine the winner. But, in each round, following the pitches and before Steve Harvey reveals the results of the crowd’s majority vote, the entrepreneurs will face a major dilemma: one of the entrepreneurs is allowed to cash out and walk away for a lesser amount. But if an entrepreneur cashes out, they forgo the opportunity to win the whole cash prize for that round – a good move if they lost the crowd vote, but a bad move if they would have won it.

Steve Harvey will host, infusing humor, passion and support for the American Dream. The series is produced by MGM Television and internationally distributed by MGM. The executive producers are Mark Burnett, Leslie Garvin and Barry Poznick.

THE GONG SHOW

Get ready for the return of television’s most irreverent talent show competition, “The Gong Show,” executive produced by actor/comedian Will Arnett. Every episode will celebrate unusually talented and unique performers on a primetime stage. A revolving panel of judges featuring Hollywood’s hottest stars praise, critique and gong contestants in one of TV’s all-time great variety shows.

“The Gong Show” will be produced by Den of Thieves, Electric Avenue Productions and Principato Young Entertainment in association with Sony Pictures Television and will be taped in front of a live audience. “The Gong Show” is executive produced by Will Arnett, Evan Prager, Jesse Ignjatovic, Conrad Green and Peter Principato. Jared Morell, Jordan Barrow and Marc Forman will coexecutive produce.”